Bus safety was front and center at Bellefontaine City Schools during recent annual bus evacuation drills conducted at all grade levels.
“This year’s drills went very smoothly,” BCS Transportation Director Tammie Garman said. “It’s important to refresh all students yearly and to start the process of working with all new kiddos on how to always be safe on a school bus.
“The evacuations are required by the state for all districts. We try to get them in the first part of September when the weather is nicer.
“In the event of an accident, it’s important for the kids to listen to the driver for directions to exit the bus to safety. If the bus were to get hit in the front door, they need to know how to safely exit the rear and vice versa.”
By mandate, each student riding the bus must exit the front door and back door during the evacuation drills.
Bellefontaine City Schools has 12 regular bus routes, along with routes to the Mac-A-Cheek Learning Center and Calvary Christian.
Garman reports that a bus safety presentation will be hosted for all K-5 students this fall. Drivers will discuss: safety spots at the bus stop; no eating and drinking on the bus and the choking hazards it causes; railroad crossing procedures; the proper way to cross the street when being dropped off; the importance of going straight home after leaving the bus stop; inside voices can distract the bus driver; and maintaining social distancing.